It was redemption for the Bahamas mixed 4×400 meters (m) relay team as they were able to punch their ticket for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics Games after winning their heat in the second qualifying round at the BTC World Athletics Relays at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium earlier tonight.
The team of Steven ‘Speedy” Gardiner, Shania Adderley, Alonzo Russell and Shaunae Miller-Uibo clocked a national record of 3:12.81 to win the first heat of the evening. The previous national record was 3:14.42.
One day after clocking 3:14.86 in the first round, the team remained the same but there was a complete change to which leg they were featured on. Gardiner got the race started this time after running the third leg the previous day. He handed it to 16-year-old Adderley on the second leg who anchored the previous day.
Russell, who started the race yesterday was on the third leg. He passed the baton off to Miller-Uibo who brought The Bahamas across the finish line first and punched their ticket for Paris.
“I was just so hype and was not focused. Once Shania (Adderley) brought us back in the lead. I was super hyped and I was not thinking about how I run it but I was rocking along with the crowd and they brought me home,” Miller-Uibo said.
Gardiner said he felt amazing out there after having a good night’s rest. He spoke about the decision to switch things up. He was happy to see Adderley’s performance tonight and that she got a chance.
“It was the coach’s decision and brought it to our attention to let us know how we felt and see how comfortable we were with it. I did not mind popping it off because it is like the regular 400m,” Gardiner said.
Adderley ran a strong second leg to help the Bahamas stay in contention for the qualification spot. The Tabernacle Academy student out of Grand Bahama felt redeemed after not qualifying on the first day.
“It was very exciting and I got the opportunity to run and I thanked God that I was able to execute my race plan and help my team come out on top,” Adderley said.
Adderley wanted to ensure that he gave Miller-Uibo a good position after his leg.
“We saw the race last night and we wanted to make sure that everyone were on a leg that they were comfortable with,” Russell said. “I told Adderley to give me something to work with and I will bring it back if I need to but she gave it to me in front and I only had to finish and I am glad we came away with the victory.”
The Bahamas 4x100m relay team of Devynne Charlton, Camille Rutherford, Charisma Taylor and Printassia Johnson had to settle fourth place in their heat after posting a time of 43.32 seconds.
The men’s 4x100m team of Samson Colebrooke, Samalie Farrington, Carlos Brown Jr. and Ian Kerr ran a season’s best of 39.21 seconds but when the dust settled, they crossed the finish line in 39.21 seconds for a fifth place finish in their heat.
The Bahamas’ final race of the night was the men’s 4x400m relay that saw Wendell Miller, Russell, Zion Shepherd and Shakeem Hall-Smith in action. They were also fifth in their heat.
